Suspect and victim named in last night's fatal car crash

By Gretchen Ross - bio | email

VANDERBURGH COUNTY, IN (WFIE) - New information on the high speed chase and crash Christmas night that injured several people and took one life.

The suspect who Evansville Police say started this pursuit. He is 34-year old Evansville resident.

Also the driver who died after English hit his car is 20-year old Evansville resident...Onterrio T. Sharp. Evansville police say as they keep investigation last night's events, they still search to find the answer as to why English was driving so recklessly last night.

Around 9 p.m. Thursday night, Evansville Police on patrol got a message to look out for a blue Monte Carlo speeding and swerving near Covert and Weinbach avenue. Within fifteen minutes, an officer spots a car meeting that description.

"Going northbound on Green River Road at Lincoln Avenue, traveling at a dangerously high rate of speed, said EPD Chief Brad Hill.  "That officer started a pursuit of that vehicle attempting to stop it with his lights and siren."

The driver, Daniel Joe English II didn't slow down. He led police on chase close to 100 miles an hour for the next minute and half. English turned the Monte Carlo into Eastland Place before driving out of the parking lot, heading south on Green River. After driving back under the Lloyd Expressway, English veered over the median crossing into the northbound lane.

"He then collided with another vehicle in the area of Tecumseh," said Hill.  "His vehicle after the collision continued southbound crossed back over the median, rolled several times, then caught fire."

Police were able to pull English from his car just before it burst into flames. He was taken to deaconess hospital.

The driver of the other vehicle that English collided with, 20 year old Onterrio T. Sharp died at the scene. 14 News learned he was a former stand-out basketball player at Evansville day School.

Five others in the car with him, including one infant and teenager were taken to St. Mary's Medical Center, recovering from broken bones.

English has been arrested for drunk driving six times since 1994. Police investigated to see if there was alcohol in his system last night.

"Police obtained a search warrant for his blood, said Hill.  "That blood test .21, blood alcohol content."